New Hampshire Senate Election 2014: Democrat Incumbent Jeanne Shaheen Narrowly Ahead GOP Challenger Scott Brown
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen could be elected for another term based on new polling data of New Hampshire residents.
The SUPRC and Boston Herald poll showed the Democratic incumbent Shaheen with a 3-percentage-point lead over her Republican challenger and former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown. In a poll of 500 total voters, Shaheen received 48.60 percent of the vote. Brown received 45.60 percent of the vote. New Hampshire voters are also susceptible to being undecided as 5.60 percent were not sure who to vote for on midterm Election Day.
While the senatorial candidates have a 3-percentage point spread, Shaheen has a clear favorable rating than Brown. The former Massachusetts senator received a 39.20 percent favorable rating while 49 percent favored the Democratic incumbent. Brown's favorable rating was lower than President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who received 41.60 percent and 46.40 percent respectively. Shaheen's unfavorable rating was 42 percent while Brown garnered 47.80 percent. Brown received a slightly higher unfavorable rating than Clinton, as she received 45.40 percent. Obama's unfavorable rating was higher than Brown, as the former received 53.20 percent.
Brown and Shaheen almost tied regarding which candidate ran the more negative campaign. Shaheen edged out Brown with 34.20 percent to 33 percent, however, 31 percent were undecided.
If elected, most respondents believe Brown will vote along with the Republican Party's ideology than have an "independent" voice with 44.20 percent to 38.40 percent, respectively.
Brown's campaigned launched advertisements saying Shaheen has voted with Obama's policies nearly 99 percent of the time. The advertisements have made no difference to 44.40 percent of the public, but 35.40 percent said they are less likely to vote for Shaheen. Shaheen, meanwhile, launched advertisements questioing Brown's record on issues important to women. The advertisement might be not as effect as most respondents, with 45 percent, said they trust Brown on women's issues. Meanwhile, 43.60 percent said they do not trust Brown on women's issues, but 10.80 percent were undecided.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, New Hampshire's population is 3.2 percent Latino.